Concurrent Superstition
Concurrent Superstition
Conc VI VI
VI
VI
Concurrent Superstition
Conc VI EXT
VI
EXT
Pigeons
c: 7th session of Ext
d: 12th session of Ext
Humans
Concurrent Superstition
Conc VI EXT (COD)
VI
EXT
COD: Responses on EXT can’t be immediately followed by
reinforcement for responses on VI
How CODs are programmed: 1) Timer starts after each EXT
response or 2) timer starts after switching to VI. During
timing, reinforcement is unavailable for responses to VI
Pigeons
a: 7th session of Ext
b: 12th session of Ext
Humans
Concurrent Superstition
Applied Example No COD
FR 1: Mand
EXT: Verbal Aggression
Tx: 1) Verbal aggression followed by prompt to mand 2)
Mand is reinforced
Results: Some verbal aggression is maintained by
reinforcement of mand
Concurrent Superstition
Applied Example With COD
FR 1: Mand
EXT: Verbal Aggression
Tx: 1) Verbal aggression followed COD 2) After COD,
prompt given for mands
Results: If COD is of sufficient duration, verbal aggression
should be weakened, if not extinguished
Case Review
Operant: Behavior  attention
Current Procedure: (Tx)
1) Behavior = inapp vocals and provoking others
2) Tx = a) Prompt to mand for activity of choice
Probe: (Tx1)
1) Behavior = inapp vocals and provoking others
2) Tx = a) Prompt to go to room under observation for 5
minutes b) Prompt to mand for activity of choice
Case Review
COD Duration?
Delay Reduction Hypothesis
•Stimuli will function as conditioned
reinforcers if they signal a reduction in the
average delay to reinforcement.
•Or, given the choice between 2 stimuli,
organisms will choose the stimulus that is
“closer” to positive reinforcers, or “farther”
from negative reinforcers.
Delay Reduction Hypothesis
Problem: How long is COD?
Mand
Reinf: 1
every 15
minutes
Verbal Aggression
1. Timeout = 5 minutes
2. Prompt
3. Mand  reinf
Delay Reduction Hypothesis
Problem: How long is COD?
Mand
Reinf: 1
every 5
minutes
Verbal Aggression
1. Timeout = 10 minutes
2. Prompt
3. Mand  reinf